NOVEL NEXT Chapter 218: Reassurance
Charlotte wondered what Azel wanted with that man.
Professor Xebli was not someone people respected.
He was the professor in charge of teaching Alchemy to first-year students. On paper, he was brilliant — his knowledge of herbs, potions, and strange transmutations was unmatched.
But his character was rotten.
Everyone in the academy knew the rumors.
The way his eyes stayed too long on certain students, the rumors of him luring young girls to "private lessons."
More than once, the principal had stepped in.
More than once, parents had complained. But every time, the so-called victims denied anything had happened.
They claimed the rumors were false, nothing but gossip. And so, the cases were pushed aside, swept under the rug again and again.
Charlotte had seen it all.
She knew how the world worked.
People with power could always twist the truth to protect themselves.
And Xebli was clever — he knew how to hide his tracks.
Still, one story could not be buried: his constant pursuit of Lorraine.
Lorraine, the girl who was now the Student Council President.
Lorraine had rejected him coldly more than once and had made it clear she wanted nothing to do with him.
The higher-ups had warned Xebli to stop, and for a while, he did.
But his nature had not changed.
Men like that never really changed.
Charlotte leaned back on the ground, folding her arms.
Why would Azel, a newcomer to the academy, suddenly want information on Xebli?
What could he possibly want with a man like that?
"Fine," she muttered, letting out a long sigh.
She only wanted Azel out of her little parlor.
She had customers waiting outside — important customers.
There were nobles there after all that wanted to know their fate, they would gladly pay a fortune for her illusions.
She charged based on their pockets: fifty silver ares for nobles, less for commoners, depending on what they could manage. By the end of the day, she could walk away with a few gold coins or more.
That was her life.
Suddenly something hit the floor with a dull thud.
A pouch.
Charlotte blinked.
Esther's eyes went wide.
The pouch was open just enough to let the shine spill out.
It was gold!
Ten bright gold ares.
They were shining bright enough to nearly blind her.
Charlotte's breath caught.
She had worked whole weeks for less than this in the past.
"That's your pre-payment," Azel said.
His tone was calm, but she couldn't read his expression. "You'll get the rest when you finish my mission. I trust that's enough motivation."
For a moment, Charlotte just stared.
Her thoughts swirled, disbelief mixing with greed. Then her body moved before her mind could catch up.
She dropped to her knees, bowing so low her forehead smacked against the floor with a painful crack.
"Ah! Boss, you won't be disappointed!" she cried.
Her voice was loud and desperate. She didn't even care. The coins glowed in her vision like sunlight.
"Really?"
She even ended up imitating Feng and Azel found that really funny.
"Yes, Boss! I'll serve you well!" she added in a fake booming voice. It only made the situation funnier.
Azel simply turned away.
Without another word, he left the room and the door shut behind him.
…
Outside, Lorraine and Nari sat waiting. They perked up when Azel returned. He looked at them, offered a small smile, and lifted his hand in a casual wave.
"Something came up," he said. "I'll be on my way first."
Before either girl could speak, before Lorraine could even reach out, he was gone.
Lorraine's shoulders slumped.
Her chest tightened.
What had happened in that room? Why had he left so quickly? Did something go wrong with Madam Estesse?
Her thoughts were filled with worry until the door opened again.
Madam Estesse walked in.
Or rather, Charlotte, still wearing the illusion of the grand fortune teller.
She moved with elegance, her long robes flowing like water. She looked every bit the calm, collected mystic she pretended to be.
"Madame, why did he leave?" Nari asked right away. "Was something wrong? Did he not like you? Did you upset him?"
Charlotte raised a hand and Nari was silenced.
She had to come up with something believable… fast.
If they sensed the truth, she would lose them as customers.
And she needed their money.
She breathed in deeply, sat down, and let the glowing orb beside her cast its light over her face.
She smiled confidently.
"Ah, Mr. Azel only wanted to see me privately," she explained. "He wished to know about certain school matters. Specifically… if any men were troubling Miss Lorraine."
Both Lorraine and Nari gasped.
Their voices overlapped as they asked, "He did?"
Charlotte nodded gently, as if she were a wise aunt offering comfort. "Yes. And I told him the only one I knew of. Professor Xebli. He has made you uncomfortable, hasn't he, Miss Lorraine?"
Lorraine's lips parted. Her heart pounded in her chest. She hesitated, then gave a small nod.
Charlotte leaned closer, her voice low and reassuring. "Good. I don't know what Mr. Azel plans to do, but I doubt it will be anything rash. You don't have to worry but I have a feeling the professor won't worry you anymore."
Lorraine felt her heart race faster.
Azel… he had asked about her? He wanted to protect her?
Heat filled her cheeks. Her lips turned into a smile she couldn't stop.
'He really does care about me,' she thought, joy bubbling up inside her.
Charlotte, however, kept her own smile steady, though laughter almost spilled from her chest.
'Hahaha! These young girls are so easy to fool,' she thought, even if she was a young girl like that. 'If only that man was as easy to trick as they are…'
…
On his way back home, Azel sneezed.
He rubbed his nose, muttering, "Are they talking about me?"
It didn't matter.
He had enjoyed himself today, but his work wasn't done.
He forgot earlier but the entrance ceremony was days away.
He had already been chosen as the first-year representative. That meant one thing: standing in front of the entire academy and giving a speech.
Just thinking about it made his head ache.
He groaned, dragging his fingers through his hair until it stood messy.
"Now I have to go through piles of speeches just to find the perfect one," he muttered.
This day just kept getting more stressful.